THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2166, 15 April 1908, Page 3

THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

DISSOLVEMENT OF DENNISTON UNION. (Press Association.) WESTPORT, April 14. The Donniston Miners’ Union instructed its secretary to take immediate siteps to cancel the union’s registration under the Industrial Conciliation and.' Arbitration Act. ‘“THE FINE. MUST BE PAID.” MR. McGOWAN AT AUCKLAND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 14. Referring to the recent developjnonts* of tho- Blackball njniers dispate, in which tho men have gone out on strike, the Minister for Mines (the Hon. Mr. McGowan) this morning informed a Press; reporter 'that the law must bo earned out. The men may adopt a certain stand, anu. bolievo'they are witlun tkeir rigiits, Mr. McGowan said, “but the fine must be paid. Of that there is no .possiblo question of a doubt. it is at present impossible to say what the developments of the future will be, but the law must bo paramount, and must bo carried out. No Government can passively stand by and see the law defied. The public are .apt to be hasty and clamour for an immediate settlement of a rather complex situation. This is not a matter, however, which can be rushed through. It may be taken for granted that tho Government will do what is right in the Blackball case, and the first thing is to collect this money'. What is more, there is no doubt that tho Government will do it.”

MR. G. G. STEAD INTERVIEWED BY EMISSARY. Press Association. • CHRISTCHURCH, April 14. Mr. D. K. Pritchard had an interview to-day with Mr. Geo. G. Stead, which lasted over an hour, and discussed the position of matters .at Blackball. As Mr. Pritchard uas not officially authorised to commit the union to uny arrangement, the con versation was merely general.